Household Organization

10.1163/ej.9789004158139.i-224.44

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Chapter Summary

This study aims the analysis of household economy or household viability. The chapter deals more specifically with the spatial arrangement of the household and who wielded authority within it with a predominant focus on nomadic dependent type of household in Zilphukhog. In order for the average household in Zilphukhog to be able to sustain itself, it had to have at least three adult members and preferably about two adolescent children. This requires the cooperation of at least three persons: male head of the household who performs male tasks around the tent and connected with the migration, a woman to perform female domestic tasks, and a male shepherd. In other words, men, women and children, in different ways, contributed to the household management and economy, and the absence of one component of the household labour force rendered the household less viable.